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United Way tells Kankakee County board that housing is top need in 211 calls
Summary
United Way presenter reported about 2,500 calls/referrals via 211 last year in Kankakee and Iroquois counties, with 42% requesting housing or shelter and about 19% turned away due to lack of resources or eligibility.
A United Way representative told the Kankakee County Board on Feb. 10 that the 211 helpline — a free referral service — remains a primary source for residents seeking help for basic needs, and that housing and shelter were the top caller concern for the county and neighboring Iroquois County.
The presenter described 211’s operation: when a caller dials 211 a trained specialist asks for the caller’s ZIP code and makes referrals to local services. The representative said the 211 line serves callers in English and Spanish and emphasized the service’s value when board members make budget and program decisions.
Using local data from the past year, the presenter said the 211 line received roughly 2,500 callers/referrals for Kankakee and Iroquois counties, that 42% of callers sought housing or shelter, and that about 19% of callers were turned away because requested services lacked funding, callers did not meet program qualifications, or shelter was unavailable at the needed time. The representative noted United Way also maintains an online resource directory listing about 900 services for the two counties.
The presenter asked the board to help share information about 211 and to consider the data when making policy and funding decisions.
What’s next: United Way said it provides annual grant funding to local programs; board members were invited to follow up with the United Way for details about the data and its grant process.
